Significant Life Events

How do significant life events or the passage of time influence your perspective on life?

My perspective on life has been shaped by quite a few significant life events. The event in my life that has most affected my perspective on life has definitely been my experience of mental health issues.  It changed my life forever when I was diagnosed.  Initially I experienced a lot of stigma, from some ignorant people,  and I lost some so-called friends as a result. I learned the lesson to only surround myself with good people,  with good intentions.  It has shaped me to have great compassion and empathy, and made me a gracious and grateful 🙏🏽 person.  Being denied some things as a result of my mental health issues has given me an appreciation of the little things and finer things in life. I now have serenity and a love of the simple pleasures 🙏🏽 of life. I am contented and at peace.

The passing of my Dad, Susanna and Michael has made me treasure true love ❤️ and true friendships.  Life is short, appreciate your loved ones whilst they are here on Earth 🌎 because our loved ones aren’t on earth forever.  Our souls are eternal though,  so always keep and be blessed by the love of those we hold dear. Life is short, so appreciate it whilst we still have it

Carl and Gisele

Two of my favourite people in this 🌎 world would have to be Carl and Gisele.  I met them through Brunswick Baptist Church and they are definitely amazing, so generous and well to do.  I would describe them as a super couple, a power couple.  They have the most beautiful marriage, it is lovely to watch how they interact. Gisele is stunningly beautiful.  She could easily be a model, but I don’t think that would interest her, she is so happy being Carl’s wife. Carl is very much the gentleman with a peaceful nature. He is witty and clever and we share a love ❤️ of 🎶 music.  They both are always so kind to me and I love and respect them both very much. They are true Christians and wonderful friends. I don’t take that for granted. True friends are a gift from God.

What Am I Most Scared To Do

What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?

There are a few things in life I wouldn’t do no matter what. These things would be bungy jumping and skydiving.  There is nothing that could convince me to do either 

On a more personal note I would never get romantically involved with anyone ever again. My past experience has taught me that getting that involved ultimately causes pain and the couple of people in my lifetime I have chosen to get involved with turned out to be terrible people, not worthy of my love.  I would need an ironclad guarantee from God and Jesus that it would be different 🙏🏽 🙌 this time around.  I think Susanna and all my friends 🧡 would like me to have a decent person to love in my life, but I am at my happiest giving my love to Lily  my best friend and companion. I am surrounded by wonderful friends and that is worth more than any romantic involvement.

A tribute for Rob Hirst.

Last week I wrote a quick blog post when I heard that Rob Hirst Midnight Oils drummer and songwriter had lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.  It was a post I wrote to express my shock and grief.   I knew Rob had been batting cancer and for months now everytime I heard Midnight Oil on the radio or television i was preparing myself for the announcement. Still didn’t make it any easier to hear though.

In the months leading up to his passing Rob had donated his drum kit to a charity auction. The reserve price was set at $10,000 Australian dollars.  It sold for $90,000 Australian dollars such was the esteem Rob was held in.  I was thinking about that fact as his death was announced.

This week I have spent a lot of time listening to Midnight Oil and following on YouTube etc clips of Rob’s life and talents. Sure I’m sad at his passing but also extremely happy and proud that such a fine, charming and talented man lived.  Today is Australia Day here in Australia.  It is a significant but controversial day for us modern intelligent people who call Australia home and we have an Australia Day Honours List to celebrate the contributions of some particularly wonderful people who are from here. Rob has been honoured with this award posthumously and I couldn’t think of a more worthy recipient because of his impact on Australian music, culture,  social justice welfare and politics.

RIP Rob Hirst it is an honour to be a fan of you. Condolences 🙏🏽 to your wife, daughters and fellow members of Midnight Oil

My conversations with Barbara.

I am blessed with having a lot of good friends 🧡 who share my journey and one of rhe things I am most appreciative of and am grateful 🙏🏽 for is the conversations I have with Barbara.

Barbara has been in my life since my early 30s. We met studying 📖 welfare studies together ❤️ and she has impacted my life in so many  ways.  She saw my love grow for a fellow student,  who became the great love of my life. She has nursed me through more than one broken heart. She is one of my greatest supporters and advocates.  She tells me that I am highly intelligent and supports my writing ✍️ . She encourages me to speak out and write about my life experiences.  She has helped when i have experienced stigma of my mental health issues and been my greatest cheerleader of my advocacy work and my creativity expressing such.  I’ve just spoken to her and I feel uplifted. This is significant because Barbara was letting me know that I don’t always have to be positive in what I write ✍️,  but to always be real in what I creatively express. This is great feedback to receive and it shows me that I am on the right track 👣 when I choose to write.  I am feeling understood and heard. Could there be any greater gift 🎁 than that.?